"It has always been my desire that the Carolinas would be the home of our Panthers," Richardson said in a statement issued by the team. "Nothing has changed. As someone who was born in North Carolina and lived much of my life in South Carolina, I hope that there would be no doubts about my personal devotion to the Carolinas."

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday that Richardson and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa were in talks concerning a move when Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium was scheduled to host the Democratic National Convention, which the mayor chaired. The event was moved due to weather concerns.

Because Richardson owns the stadium, the Panthers are one of four franchises which could pick up and leave their cities without litigation. The list includes the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and Washington Redskins. Richardson hopes to upgrade his 16-year-old stadium soon and may ask for public funds for the project.